How to get married on the set of your favourite TV shows and movies
It's time to say "I do" to these impressive TV-themed wedding venues...
The Rovers Return Inn, Manchester – Coronation Street Wedding venues don't come more British than the local boozer – especially when the pub in question is one of the country’s most famous. Yes, Coronation Street fans can get married inside the Rovers Return itself – after production on the soap moved from Manchester to Salford last year, the old set was opened up for guided tours and Studio One was given permission to host wedding ceremonies (the first of which took place in September 2014). But what could your Corrie wedding entail? Well, Studio One is also the home of the Platt’s and Duckworth’s houses – as well as the old knicker factory. Who said romance was dead? Highclere Castle, Berkshire – Downton Abbey It's true. You too can sweep down that oak staircase like Lady Mary before marrying in front of 100 of your nearest and dearest. You can even prepare for your vows in one of the castle bedrooms, enjoy drinks and canapes on the castle lawns and dine in The Library afterwards. Delightful. And you don't even have to have your own title. Hall Place, Berkshire – Downton Abbey If you're looking for something a little smaller, don't abandon your Downton dreams just yet. This grand house in Beaconsfield, Berkshire is used for the interior shots of Isobel Crawley's elegant abode in the hit period drama. Though not used in the show, the exterior of Hall Place is just as impressive – and would make a truly aristocratic backdrop for your wedding photos. Orangery at Goldney Hall, Bristol – Sherlock Calling all Sherlock fans! Fancy getting married in the very same place Watson wed Mary Morstan in series three? Of course you do. The Orangery used by the hit BBC detective drama is actually part of the University of Bristol – and you can say your vows and hold an elegant reception here. Just make sure you know whether or not your future spouse used to be an assassin. And, erm, avoid any attempted murders during the best man's speech. Duncombe Park, Yorkshire – Parade's End From Sherlock to Parade's End, and another TV set where you can plan your big day. Benedict Cumberbatch presided over Duncombe Park, aka Christopher Tietjens' Groby Hall, in the 2012 BBC adaptation of Ford Madox Ford's novel. Now you can follow in his footsteps and host your wedding within its historic walls. Think arrivals by horse-drawn carriage, vows in the State Rooms and drinks and croquet in the Green Garden. Brocket Hall, Hertfordshire – Pride and Prejudice (1995) Now this is a wedding venue for true romantics. It's only the setting of Jane Austen's Netherfield Ball, the soiree where Elizabeth Bennett and Mr Darcy's romance began. You can wed your own Darcy in the imposing stately home before enjoying the venue's acres of private parkland and partying Regency-style in their grand ballroom. Wet shirts optional. Valentines Mansion, Essex – The Great British Bake Off You'd need one impressive wedding cake to get married here, the filming location for the first two series of The Great British Bake Off. You could even set up your own Bake Off style tent, sorry, marquee in the gardens. Sadly Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood are no longer in residence, but Valentines Mansion can provide you with everything to make sure your wedding day goes off without a soggy bottom in sight. Chavenage House, Gloucestershire – New Worlds (and others) If you're a fan of period drama, this Elizabethan manor is sure to please. The Cotswold stone home has welcomed Poirot, Cider With Rosie, Lark Rise to Candleford, Tess of the D'Urbervilles and Channel 4 historical drama New Worlds. Poldark is currently filming there. But the house has scope for your big day too. Biddick Hall, County Durham – The Paradise BBC1's sumptuous shopping drama might not be returning for a third run, but that doesn't mean you have to say goodbye entirely. Channel resident aristocrat Katherine Glendenning and tie the knot at Biddick Hall, where much of the period drama was filmed. Every room of the grand hall is licensed for weddings, as is the entrance, making it an ideal place for an outdoor wedding ceremony. Now all you need is Denise on the case to find your perfect dress. Find out more about these wedding locations and many more on Hitched.co.uk
How Call the Midwife filmed Thalidomide birth scenes
"We're doing something we haven't done before," actress Emerald Fennell tells us
Call the Midwife is known for tackling sad and serious issues, but season five is focusing on one in particular: Thalidomide. Thalidomide was a drug first marketed in the late 1950s as a sleeping pill but it was found to help nausea and morning sickness, so the medication was soon prescribed for pregnant women. During 1960, doctors began to worry about the drug's side effects, after long-term users reported nerve damage. But soon the extent of the side effects were clear. Call the Midwife: thalidomide survivors are still waiting for justice Thalidomide baby Susan and her family return to Call the Midwife for series six View oEmbed on the source website Thalidomide was found to harm the development of unborn babies and cause serious birth defects, especially if taken in the first four to eight weeks of pregnancy. The drug led to the arms or legs of the babies being very short or incompletely formed. Other side effects also included deformed eyes, ears and hearts. In the late 50s and early 60s over 10,000 children were born with thalidomide-related disabilities worldwide. Around 40% of affected babies are reported to die at or shortly after birth. Call the Midwife is known for tackling sad and serious issues, but season five is focusing on one in particular: Thalidomide. "The sense of responsibility with covering something so big and so important as Thalidomide was felt by everybody at all levels in the production," actor Stephen McGann tells us. "For the actors, it was very easy for us to see just how much this meant, how much care needed to be taken and everybody has to step up for that," McGann, who plays Doctor Turner, added. "We still feel that because with the theme of Thalidomide there is still more of the story to be unfolded." Thalidomide was a drug first marketed in the late 1950s as a sleeping pill but was prescribed to help nausea and morning sickness in pregnant women. The medication was later found to harm the development of unborn babies and cause serious birth defects, with over 10,000 children born with thalidomide-related disabilities worldwide in the early 1960s. Scenes involving babies with severe birth defects were "very emotional" to film, Emerald Fennell, who plays Nurse Patsy, tells us. But when it came to tackling the actual births of these babies affected by Thalidomide, there were practical issues to contend with too. "It's logistically quite complicated," she explains. For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 guides. View oEmbed on the source website Call the Midwife normally uses real newborn babies under 10-days-old (with pregnant mums being booked before they even go into labour) to film their birth scenes – lesions or wounds are added using the magic of CGI – but these births called for "a lot of moving prosthetics." "It's quite complicated because we're doing something we haven't done before," Fennell tells us. "The prosthetics are great because they’re designed to weigh the same as real babies. They take a bit of getting used to because they look so real; you have that moment when you first see them and think it’s a real baby. You end up holding them like a real baby," she admits. Creator Heidi Thomas shares Fennell's sentiment, revealing that they even named the prosthetic babies. "She was called baby Susan... They handed her to me and I just looked down at this little thing in the crook of my arm - and it did choke me, it really did," she told Radio Times earlier this year. "There are various degrees with the thalidomide prosthetics. Some have smaller limbs than others," adds Fennell. "They’re amazing because our makeup department operate them to make them breathe. It’s very moving and sort of awful to see because they really do look like real babies. All the art department have been amazing." When it came to Thalidomide, it was important for the show to strike a balance between upsetting and uplifting moments, says Fennell: "People went on to live amazing lives as campaigners and have rich family lives, so we’re very careful to show that it’s a bad thing, but good can come out of it. It’s a bittersweet balance." Whatever Call the Midwife has achieved so far this series, they seem to be getting it right, with last Sunday's episode drawing in over 7.5 million viewers. When it comes to reactions from fans, McGann reveals that the cast and crew have "been overwhelmed" too. "We are very lucky, we are very privileged, very fortunate that we can do this to such a big audience," he says.
Series six revisits a baby born with serious birth defects in the late 50s and early 60s. Here's why...
As Call the Midwife strides out of the 1950s and into the swinging 60s there have been some big changes. We've watched medical advances creep into the drama: gas and air, diaphragms, a move towards hospitals and the appearance of an exciting new pill which will prevent unwanted pregnancy. As well as a new drug – with an ominously familiar name. At the end of series four, thalidomide was prescribed by Doctor Turner for a mother suffering from a serious form of morning sickness called hyperemesis gravidarum (the same suffered by the Duchess of Cambridge during her pregnancies.) And it's a storyline that has run ever since. How Call the Midwife filmed thalidomide birth scenes Call the Midwife: thalidomide survivors are still waiting for justice Thalidomide baby Susan and her family return to Call the Midwife for series six View oEmbed on the source website We've seen babies born with missing limbs, and newborns die in dreadful situations from unexplained complications. And in series five events took a new turn, when Doctor Turner received word that Distaval, the drug he'd prescribed so widely, was being withdrawn with immediate effect. Now in series six, we revisit one of the babies who was born with dreadful birth defects as a result of Turner's prescription. For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 guides. So, what was thalidomide? Thalidomide was first marketed in 1957 in West Germany under name Contergan. It was initially used as a sedative or sleeping pill, but it was found to help nausea and morning sickness, so the medication was soon prescribed for pregnant women. In the UK, the drug was licensed in 1958 under the name Distaval but it had been withdrawn by the end of 1961. How did thalidomide affect unborn babies? Thalidomide was considered to be a safe, risk-free medication, but it was not tested on pregnant women. During 1960, doctors began to worry about the drug's side effects, after long-term users reported nerve damage. But soon the extent of the side effects were clear. Thalidomide was found to harm the development of unborn babies and cause serious birth defects, especially if taken in the first four to eight weeks of pregnancy. The drug led to the arms or legs of the babies being very short or incompletely formed. Other side effects also included deformed eyes, ears and hearts. In the late 50s and early 60s over 10,000 children were born with thalidomide-related disabilities worldwide. Around 40% of affected babies are reported to die at or shortly after birth. What happened when doctors realised Thalidomide was harmful? The drug was withdrawn in 1961 before the UK government issued a warning in May 1962. Thalidomide is now used as part of treatment programmes for cancer and leprosy sufferers. Its use is heavily regulated – women taking thalidomide now have to take two forms of birth control and take regular pregnancy tests. View oEmbed on the source website
From Nicholas Hoult and Dev Patel to Joe Dempsie, Daniel Kaluuya and Kaya Scodelario, here's what the kids from Skins did next
E4’s boundary-pushing series Skins first burst onto our screens in 2007. In its time on TV the teen drama dealt with sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll, as well as suicide, eating disorders, teenage pregnancy, bullying, homelessness... The list literally goes on and on. But it's kick-started the careers of plenty of British actors and actresses too. Here's what they're up to now... View oEmbed on the source website Nicholas Hoult Before Skins, Nicholas Hoult was pretty much purely known for his 2002 portrayal of Marcus Brewer in About A Boy. Well, that and some eye-catching eyebrows. Since leaving arrogant Tony Stonem behind in 2008, the 27-year-old Berkshire-born lad has abandoned the small screen for Hollywood roles in X-Men: First Class, Days of Future Past and Apocalypse, Jack the Giant Slayer, Warm Bodies and Oscar-winning action flick Mad Max: Fury Road among others. Dev Patel Another Skins graduate to have made it on the silver screen. When Patel said goodbye to half-hearted Muslim Anwar at the end of Skins series two, the 26-year-old quickly made a name for himself in Oscar-winning flick Slumdog Millionaire. (He also bagged co-star Freida Pinto as his GF for a while... These Skins lads are certainly a success with the ladies.) Patel went on to star in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and its sequel alongside Judy Dench, Maggie Smith and Bill Nighy, and as journalist Neal Sampat in HBO's hit series The Newsroom. Later he starred in Neill Blomkamp's sci-fi thriller Chappie, and this week has made headlines for gaining a Best Supporting Actor nomination at the Oscars for his role in critically-acclaimed film Lion - the first Skins Oscar nom! Joe Dempsie 29-year-old Joe Dempsie played promiscuous, drug-addicted extrovert Chris Miles in the first generation of Skins, leaving in 2008 after his character died. He's since appeared in fan favourites Doctor Who and Merlin as well as New Worlds, The Fades, Murder: Joint Enterprise and Accused, but is best known nowadays for his role in hit fantasy drama Game of Thrones. Dempsie played Gendry, the illegitimate son of King Robert I and one of the many potential heirs to the coveted Iron Throne until he left in series three – but rumour has it he'll be back for the next run of episodes. More recently, he's also appeared in BBC thriller One of Us and Channel 4's This is England '90. Hannah Murray Another Skins star who appears in HBO's George R. R. Martin adaptation Game of Thrones – it's an epidemic! Hannah Murray played ethereal and lovable Cassie (a character she reprised in the Skins series seven miniseries) for the first two series of Skins, as the teen dealt with depression and an eating disorder. Her character in Game of Thrones is a troubled one too – she plays Gilly, the daughter and wife of wildling Craster and the love interest for Sam Tarly (John Bradley). Kaya Scodelario Kaya first appeared in Skins as Tony Stonem's wayward sister Effy, before taking on a leading role in series three and four. And leaving the teen drama certainly didn't spell the end for Kaya. She's since starred as Cathy in Wuthering Heights, acted alongside Dakota Fanning and Jeremy Irvine in Now Is Good, appeared in Southcliffe and taken a leading role in Emanuel and the Truth about Fishes alongside Jessica Biel. More recently she's filmed for The Maze Runner franchise, Pirates of the Caribbean and action-adventure fantasy movie The King's Daughter. Phew! Mike Bailey So far, Skins is looking like a star-making factory – but not everyone from the e4 series has kept pursuing acting on the large and small screen. Mike Bailey, who played lead character Sid in the first two series, appeared in a few roles after leaving Skins (most prominently Channel 4 drama 1066), but now tells us he's more or less given up the career to instead become a drama teacher in London. Co-star April Pearson (who played Michelle) has also taken the drama teaching career path, so clearly all those classroom scenes rubbed off on them. Turn the page to see what the later generations of Skins are up to now... Jack O'Connell Troubled teen Cooke may have returned in the special Skins series 7, but the actor who plays him – 26-year-old Jack O'Connell – has more than moved on from his time in the e4 teen drama. Since leaving the E4 show in 2010 O'Connell has starred in The Runaway, Weekender, The Somnambulists, Tower Block, The Liability, Private Peaceful and 300: Rise of an Empire. But it's really the last couple of years that has seen O'Connell tipped as a rising star, with acclaimed performances in Starred U, '71 and Money Monster while emerging as the best thing from Angelina Jolie's flawed Unbroken. Luke Pasqualino As Skins' Freddie, Luke Pasqualino adorned many a teenage girl's bedroom wall (we assume...) before leaving the series after his character was brutally murdered – anyone else still struggling to get that scene out of their heads? Luckily, Pasqualino's acting career hasn't suffered a similar fate. The 26-year-old has since starred as Paolo in The Borgias, young Adama in Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome and Jason in hit BBC1 sitcom Miranda, with perhaps his most prominent recent role playing D'Artagnan in BBC1's The Musketeers or Elvis in war drama Our Girl. Freya Mavor From a bitchy college girl dealing with teen pregnancy to Princess Elizabeth of York. She's certainly going up in the world! You might recognise Freya, who played Mini McGuinness (is there a better TV name?!) in Skins, from new Sunday night period drama The White Queen or from New Worlds alongside fellow Skins alumnus Joe Dempsie. Alexander Arnold He played a long-haired rocker turned bereaved boyfriend in Skins but you might recognise him from starring alongside Hermione Norris and Martin Clunes in ITV drama A Mother's Son. The 24-year-old has also appeared in In The Flesh, Moths, The Salvation and What Remains alongside Shameless' David Threlfall, and as an unlucky tenant in BBC1's Poldark. Most recently, he appeared in tense drama Capital, Death in Paradise and Ricky Gervais movie David Brent: Life on the Road. Dakota Blue Richards She already made something of a name (and what a name) for herself before joining the cast of Skins as Lyra in The Golden Compass, but since appearing in the fifth and sixth series of Skins, Richards' career has continued to thrive. She played Eve in supernatural drama Lightfields and starred as Eloise in film The Fold, and now has a regular role as WPC Trewlove in ITV's Morse prequel Endeavour. Can't find your favourite in the list? Well, you're bound to come across them in this video... View oEmbed on the source website All 7 seasons of Skins are available to watch now on All 4
Everything you need to know about North Londoners Nikki, Jonathan, Josh and Amy Tapper
Who are they? Nikki and Jonathan Tapper, plus their two children, 17-year-old Josh and 15-year-old Amy. They all sit down on their GIANT squishy leather sofa for family night... which is then transmitted to the nation. Where do they live and what do they do? The Tappers live in North London, and have done for 18 years. Jonathan used to own a kosher restaurant but now works as a chauffeur while Nikki is a nursery teacher. Stay up to date on Twitter All of the Tapper family are on Twitter, though some are more active than others. Amy @amytappsx is a bit quiet on social media, but her brother Josh @tapperofficial is more vocal, tweeting about telly even when Gogglebox isn't on. Now that's dedication. Mum Nikki @niktapper and dad Jonathan @jonathan_tapper have accounts too, where they tweet the odd family snap, and retweet a LOT of Gogglebox news. What’s their Gogglebox style? As they say, life in the Tapper household is "never dull and certainly never quiet". The Tappers are one down-to-earth family. So much so, they're not afraid of having a barney in front of the cameras. There have been some raised voices, and a couple of teenage temper tanrums. There is definitely no putting on a front for Gogglebox, either. They are TOTALLY natural in front of the cameras. They watch the telly in their PJs and I don't want to point fingers, but there has even been some nose-picking... Best quotes The Tappers aren't ones for in-depth TV commentary, but they do come out with some good one-liners. For example, "Is having a baby the same as having a poo?" Jonathan Tapper asked once, while watching One Born Every Minute. And Amy Tapper comes out with plenty of gems, but this is one of our faves: "Did the Titanic actually happen?" Best moment View oEmbed on the source website This speaks for itself...
Here's what the cast of Call the Midwife got up to in South Africa
Helen George, Stephen McGann and the gang visited vineyards, climbed mountains and watched dolphins during filming for the 2016 Christmas special
The nuns and nurses of Nonnatus House are poised to return to the cobbled streets of Poplar. They have been in South Africa, filming upcoming scenes from the Christmas special, but we can now confirm that filming wraps this week. The festive episode will see the Nonnatons head overseas after receiving an "SOS from a tiny mission hospital faced with closure." Filming on location has been tough work for the show's cast. There's no doubt their storylines at Hope Clinic Mission Hospital are difficult. "The team are both shaken and exhilarated by the challenges they face - and by the time the mission trip is over, some lives are permanently changed," teases the BBC. But thankfully the gang also found time to have a little fun. Here's Stephen McGann, who plays Doctor Turner, finding time to snap a selfie in the sunshine: L'Afrique c'est chic :-) #callthemidwife pic.twitter.com/2dsROMedfD — Stephen McGann (@StephenMcGann) April 10, 2016 While Victoria Yeates, who stars as Sister Winifred, marvelled at the view from her Cape Town base: View oEmbed on the source website The gang were working weekends to film the festive special, but, as Helen George – aka Nurse Trixie – revealed on Instagram, it wasn't so bad... View oEmbed on the source website The cast also had days off to enjoy their spectacular surroundings, whether they chose to get out of breath... Me and @LauraMain1 celebrating our chatty ascent of Table Mountain with a wee Turner selfie :-) pic.twitter.com/zmMV5aQV2L — Stephen McGann (@StephenMcGann) April 19, 2016 South Africa latest: Laura and Jack get sporty for the local community :-) https://t.co/8x3RLWdyJY pic.twitter.com/kCxRrnGxkU — Call The Midwife (@CallTheMidwife1) April 20, 2016 Mess around on boats... View oEmbed on the source website Hang out with dolphins... View oEmbed on the source website Sample local plonk... View oEmbed on the source website Or wander through cactus forests. View oEmbed on the source website They also met up after shooting to eat together by the seashore: Our #callthemidwife cast and crew relax in Cape Town on their first day off from filming the Christmas Special :-) pic.twitter.com/s7sJJD8myw — Call The Midwife (@CallTheMidwife1) April 10, 2016 It's a tough life, eh? The cast of Call the Midwife will finish filming the Christmas special and upcoming episodes, which will see the return of Miranda Hart's Chummy, in the UK later this year.
From Helena Bonham Carter and Faye Marsay to Sam Frears - here's who's who in the BBC's new north London-set drama Love, Nina
Faye Marsay Who does she play? Nina, a nanny who is new to London, is the lead character in BBC1 new drama Love, Nina. What's her story? "Nina is a girl that lives in Leicester and she works in a care home," explains Marsay. "She decides, right, I need to get out of here, and she wants to move to London. She finds an ad in the back of a magazine looking for a housekeeper/nanny for two children in North London and she just goes to the interview and gets it! It’s her story - writing letters back home to her sister, Vic who she’s very close to. It’s her observations of London, of the culture differences, of the way people act, very different to how’s she has been brought up. She’s not the best nanny in the world so it’s her experience, through her eyes of how she sees London, how she sees these literary figures. She’s a lot of fun to play." Where do I recognise her from? Game of Thrones, Fresh Meat, The White Queen, Glue, My Mad Fat Diary, Doctor Who, The Bletchley Circle Helena Bonham Carter Who does she play? George, editor of a London literary review, mum of two boys and Nina's employer What's her story? "Nina comes in and looks after my children, Joe and Max," says Bonham-Carter. "For me, one of my main relationships in life is with my nanny. It’s certainly one of the most important things in my life. This is a story of this friendship and relationship between the nanny and the mother. "What I love about the book is that it’s ordinary domestic life. A lot of it reflects my life." Where do you recognise her from? Where don't you? Bonham-Carter has starred in films including The King's Speech, Alice in Wonderland, Sweeney Todd, Suffragette, Cinderella, Harry Potter, Les Miserables, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Planet of the Apes... Sam Frears Who does he play? Sam plays Nina's neighbour Ray, but Sam himself is the inspiration for the role of Joe, while Bonham Carter's George is based on his mother Mary-Kay Wilmers. What's Sam's story? Sam was diagnosed with Familial dysautonomia, or Riley-Day syndrome, when he was a boy – and it was suggested that he might not live longer than five. 40 years later, he refuses to be defeated by his condition. "People tell me [Ethan Rouse] looks like me when I was younger. So I’m sure he has been cast very well. I asked if he was enjoying it and he said yes so that’s a good sign," says Frears, going on to say seeing his family portrayed in the BBC1 drama was "weird." "SJ [Clarkson, the director] said to the boys, let's sing our song, and they started singing the song to the 1982 World Cup, and that made me twinge a bit as I used to sing that all the time and it’s the first time in years I’ve heard it sung." Where do I recognise him from? Sam has also starred in Frankie and documentary My Friend Sam: Living for the Moment. Jason Watkins Who does he play? Malcolm, a writer who lives a couple of doors down from George and her children What's his story? "He’s fairly successful for that period, he’s had a few plays, some poetry and a couple of novels and he is starting to become famous," says Watkins. "He leads a relatively solitary life as a writer, but has a vicarious paternal role in George and the kids’ lives and of course Nina’s. His function in a way is to be a surrogate father, rather exotic, strange and witty. "I think he enjoys going over to the house and loves the crack of an audience due to his solitary life as a writer; he is testing out his wit whilst nurturing young minds and enjoying the company." Where do I recognise him from? W1A, The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies, Our Zoo, Trollied, The Hollow Crown, The Secret, Doctor Who, Call the Midwife, Being Human, Little Dorrit and more Joshua McGuire Who does he play? Nunney, a young carer who looks after Ray What's his story? "He’s constantly bumping into Nina and the boys on his daily rounds, and it is not long before the two strike up a flirtation," tease the BBC. "Nunney is widely read and charming, although Nina can’t help but suspect him of condescension. Despite this he is sensitive and kind, and genuinely likes Nina." Where do I recognise him from? About Time, Cinderella, The Hour, Siblings, Scrotal Recall, You, Me & Them Ethan Rouse and Harry Webster Who do they play? George's children Joe and Max What's their story? Joe, based on Sam Frears when he was younger, is "small because of a chronic condition that has affected him since birth. He has a cheeky, intelligent humour, and is often playful with Nina, teasing her about her love life. He gets on well with his brother Max, but is always first to make a play for the limelight, especially when his frequent bouts of illness rear up." Max is Joe's relaxed older brother, who is described as "brusque, literal and totally unfiltered." Where do I recognise them from? You probably don't. Love, Nina is both of the boys' first TV drama. Nina Stibbe Keep your eyes pealed for a cameo from creator Nina herself. Stibbe penned the book Love, Nina: Despatches from Family Life, based on the letters she wrote to her sister while she was a live-in nanny. The book became the basis for this drama, and Stibbe is set to make a a cameo appearance as a teacher in the adaptation of her work.. Meet the cast of Love, Nina
Downton Abbey series 6: Where are Tom Branson and Lady Rose?
The Crawleys' country pile is looking a little empty as the period drama returns for its final season
Downton Abbey might be back on our screens in all its melodramatic glory, but it's missing a few familiar faces. Episode one sees drama below stairs as the staff get used to Mr Carson and Mrs Hughes' new relationship status and continue to deal with Anna and Bates' uncertain future. But upstairs, the Crawleys are thin on the ground... As season six begins, Robert, Cora, Mary and Edith are all alone in their crumbling country pile. Tom Branson has made true on his threats to go to America, and newly married Lady Rose has crossed the Atlantic too with husband Atticus. "[Tom's] found a flat with a garden and Sybbie's happy at her school," says Lady Mary, during the first episode, while Robert worries about his eldest grandchild beginning to speak in an American accent. Rose on the other hand is "hectic and happy" according to Robert. "New York seems to suit her," he says. A statement that doesn't come as a surprise. Their absence is unlikely to be a permanent state of affairs, though. Both Lily James and Allen Leech are expected to turn up later on the series, so keep your eyes peeled... Lily James "definitely" going to star in Downton Abbey series six Will Carson and Mrs Hughes make it down the aisle in Downton Abbey series six? What's going to happen in Downton Abbey series 6, according to the cast
Downton Abbey series 6, episode 1 recap: Blackmail, staff cuts and sexy stuff
Mr Carson and Mrs Hughes consider consummation, Lady Mary's past indiscretions come back to haunt her and the Bates' finally get closure
It’s winter 1925. Mere days have passed since we last saw the Crawleys. Mrs Patmore could still be serving up turkey leftovers in the dining room. Times are a-changing, you see. Money is tight and not just because Robert is in change of balancing the books. The Earl is thinking about cutting costs by losing a few staff members – “Does anyone have an under butler these days?” – but it’s not troubling enough to cancel his lavish hunting party, where the riders sip rare vintages from silver horse-head goblets before charging off into the estate. While Mary and Robert chase wildlife around the countryside with abandon (she shockingly eschews side-saddle these days), an unknown woman with a suspicious Liverpool accent is hanging around the Abbey. Mary falls off her horse in surprise and the young woman "of most unappealing aspect” giggles with glee. Back at the Abbey, Mrs Hughes is refusing to pick a date for her upcoming nuptials. She was all caught up in veils, vows and vol-au-vents when she said 'Yes' and forgot about her wifely duties. Perhaps they would be better off living as “a very loving brother and sister” and leaving all rumpy-pumpy out of it? Naturally, it would be indelicate for her to raise such intimate matters with a future husband and so off she sends Mrs Patmore to do it for her. A muddy Mary, meanwhile, learns the identity of the stranger: Miss Rita Bevan, a chambermaid from the hotel where she and Tony Gillingham enjoyed a week of sinful sexual relations. Rita wants £1,000 to keep her mouth shut. Mary barely raises a perfectly plucked eyebrow as she saunters away. This isn’t the first time she’s been blackmailed. Inside, Violet is holding a meeting in the drawing room. The Royal Yorkshire County Hospital wants to take over the Downton village hospital. She believes this to be positively outrageous. Isobel, Lord Merton and Cora don't. A sparring match ensues and war is declared: "May the best man win." Downstairs, Anna (still on bail) alternates between sobbing in stairwells and snivelling over shoe polish. She thought she was about to hear the pitter-patter of tiny Bates feet, but now she’s not and it’s happened before. Twice. Will the ex-cons will ever get any respite from their unrelenting misery? The Crawleys have been whispering too loudly about staff cuts and now everyone is in a flap. Thomas is convinced he’ll be first for the chop, and starts being stroppy in an apparent attempt to prove himself right, while over at the Dower House, Denker winds up Spratt explaining why a butler is a luxury not a necessity (whereas hiring someone to brush your hair and do up your buttons is obviously essential). The following morning, Rita interrupts Mary's breakfast in bed to ask for her banknotes and says she and the rest of the working class are on their way to get her. Figuratively, not literally. Mary appears to be most upset about the fact that Rita has helped herself to a slice of toast. Anna frogmarches the intruder out of the Abbey, but she soon returns to demand her gravy – this time filling Robert in on Mary's saucy "sketching trip." Mary returns just as the deal is wrapping up. Robert is disappointed in Tony Gillingham's weak morals. Mary is disappointed that Robert paid Rita. And Rita is disappointed because Robert only paid her £50 and made her sign a statement confessing to blackmail. Meanwhile, in Carson's parlour, Mrs Patmore just about manages to squeak out: "She needs to know if that's what you anticipate... a full marriage?" after turning her back on the butler to avoid any unseemly eye contact. This, it turns out, is exactly what Carson wants. He loves Hughes and thinks she's beautiful. And he won't compromise on the sexy stuff. Across the fields, Mr Mason’s employers the Darnleys are bankrupt. They are reluctantly selling their country pile and have given Mason notice on his farm. Robert is astounded but heads off to the sale to see if he can pick up a nice “momento” nonetheless. Daisy trips off to Mallerton behind her employers and – keen to show off her new-found vocabulary – has her say on proceedings. There's a terrible to-do at the auction, with the formerly timid kitchen maid shouting about respect and rights. Mr Mason won’t be one of the tenants staying on now – and after kicking off in front of a dreadfully disconcerted Robert, Daisy might be given the heave-ho too... Later that evening, the drama is all below stairs. Sergeant Willis has arrived at the house with news on the criminal case. It seems another of Green's victims has confessed and both the Bates' are finally off the hook. "This time it is over," he says. Carson dashes upstairs to tell the Crawleys they are officially no longer housing criminals in their kitchens, and the gang all head downstairs – four bottles of Veuve Clicquot and gramophone in hand – for a right ol' knees up. While Mrs Patmore dances with Willis and Robert fumbles around in the new-fangled refrigerator for a midnight snack (goodness knows what Violet would think), there are still a couple of questions to answer: Daisy's future at the Abbey (Carson is hankering for a dismissal but Cora decides a ticking off will do), and of course whether anything will be going on between Carson and Hughes' bedsheets. Carson's passionate words seem to have done the trick. “If you want me you can have me,” says Hughes before the pair lock quivering lips in the parlour. Is anyone else feeling a little hot under the collar?
Promiscuity, propositions, proposals and another murder investigation – all the drama from the fifth season of Downton Abbey
It’s early spring 1924. Mary continues to flirt with the ever patient Tony Gillingham and ponders aloud the benefits of really (nudge nudge, wink wink) getting to know your prospective husband. Try before you buy and all that. As suspected, Edith is finding her new situation rather difficult. Her little girl Marigold is quite happy secretly living with the Drewes but Mrs Drewe isn't too keen about her Ladyship hanging around all the time. At Robert and Cora’s wedding anniversary party, it all gets too much. Edith throws a book into the fire and the Abbey goes up in flames. Dramatic, right? Luckily Thomas is sneaking around so is on hand to save his employers, while, mid-crisis, Jimmy is caught in the amorous arms of his former employer Lady Ansthruther – and is sent packing, sharpish. Once the fire damage has been repaired, Mary still has sex on the brain and plans a week of living in sin with Gillingham. Anna is sent off to the local chemist, Marie Stopes in hand, to purchase some suitable contraception. But unfortunately for Gillingham the pair’s tryst in Liverpool doesn’t have the required effect. A week spent between Tony’s bedsheets persuades Mary against spending the rest of her life with him, and so she calls off their planned engagement, much to Gillingham’s outrage. Meanwhile, Rose persuades Robert to buy a wireless, Sarah Bunting ruffles some feathers at dinner, Baxter reveals her secret past to Cora (she stole jewels from a previous employer) and Moseley dyes his hair to try and regain his youthful prowess. A little while later, romance is on the cards. Lady Rose meets a handsome chap called Atticus in York, as well as a group of Russian refugees, who she invites back for tea at the Abbey. It soon transpires that the Russian prince once knew the Dowager Countess – and it would seem their relationship was a little more than platonic... Lady Cora meets art historian Simon Bricker. The pair spend a few evenings together, there’s a little flirting and it soon becomes clear Simon is interested in more than just her art collection. It all comes to a head when Robert returns to the Abbey to find Bricker boldly propositioning his wife in their marital bedroom. A tussle ensues and Bricker is sent packing, his coat tails between his legs. Violet's Russian Prince then declares he wants to spend his final years by her side and Isobel’s admirer Lord Merton plucks up the courage to ask for her hand in marriage. Needless to say, neither men get the answer they were hoping for… In less amorous news, the police begin an investigation into the death of Green after a witness comes forward saying they saw someone push him in front of that bus. Immediately all eyes are on Bates but Anna puts herself in the frame when she is spotted “loitering” near the spot where Green died. Back at the Abbey, Branson’s friend Sarah Bunting, who has been tutoring kitchen maid Daisy in her spare time, decides to leave the village for good, Thomas risks his health trying to cure his homosexuality and the Crawley’s beloved dog Isis breathes her last. Meanwhile, things go from bad to worse for Edith. News confirms that Gregson was killed by Hitler’s gang of thugs in Munich. Her frequent trips to the farm have also proved too much for Margie Drewe. The Crawley daughter is banned from dropping in to see her illegitimate mite, but Edith’s having none of it. She scoops up Marigold and flees to London (where she is now the owner of Gregson’s flat and publishing company) intending to stay there forever – until Cora arrives, concocting a plan which allows Marigold to live at the Abbey alongside her cousins. But Edith’s back in London before too long. Lady Rose and Attitcus are engaged and the whole household head off to the big city for the impending nuptials. The introduction of the love birds' parents doesn't get off to a great start, especially when it’s revealed that Rose’s mummy is an anti-semitic who can’t wait to divorce Rose’s dad and is willing to pay a prostitute to try and ruin her daughter’s big day. Nevertheless, all is resolved in the end and the happy couple manage to say ‘I do’ Away from the reception, the Dowager’s new sneaky lady’s maid Denker takes new footman Andy to Velvet Violin for a spot of gambling, Daisy ponders leaving the Abbey for the cultured pavements of London Town, but decides against it when she spies Mrs Patmore’s tearful reaction, and Anna is told to report to Scotland Yard. She takes part in an identity parade and is later arrested for the murder of Green, leaving us with quite a cliffhanger… Luckily Christmas comes soon enough. The staff scheme while the Crawleys head off for spot of shooting. Both Mary and Edith meet potential new love interests in the form of sexy racing car driver Henry Talbot and letting agent Bertie Pelham. (More on that in series six presumably) Anna is released from jail after Bates falsely confesses to Green’s murder. The witness who identified Anna changes their mind too so the ill-fated couple are reunited under the Christmas tree as Mary sings a tuneful carol. And, below stairs, fans finally get what they’ve been praying for since season one. Mr Carson and Mrs Hughes make their relationship official, getting engaged on Christmas Eve. Fa la la la la, la la la la. ?
Here's how Death in Paradise brings Harry the Lizard to life
Find out how DI Harry Goodman's green, scaly companion is made in this exclusive video
If you were hoping DI Humphrey Goodman's green, scaly friend was a tame Caribbean lizard, brace yourself for bitter disappointment. Those chaps over at Death in Paradise might be clever - they create brilliant, blood-soaked brain teasers week after week - but they haven't managed to train a lizard to act. Harry, the reptile both Humphrey and his predecessor DI Richard Poole had for company in their beach-side shack, is, as Kris Marshall puts it, "a fictitious affectation of the wonders of CGI." That's right. He's not real. He's a blank space, a tiny air pump and a shiny silver ball... Find out how he comes to life in this exclusive video: If you were hoping DI Humphrey Goodman's green, scaly friend was a tame Caribbean lizard, brace yourself for bitter disappointment. Those chaps over at Death in Paradise might be clever – they create brilliant, blood-soaked brain teasers week after week – but they haven't managed to train a lizard to act. Harry, the reptile both Humphrey and his predecessor DI Richard Poole had for company in their beach-side shack, is, as Kris Marshall puts it, "a fictitious affectation of the wonders of CGI". That's right. He's not real. He's a blank space, a tiny air pump and a shiny silver ball... Find out how he comes to life in this exclusive video: Death in Paradise continues on Thursdays at 9:00pm on BBC1 View Green Video on the source website
We caught up with Penelope Wilton, Sophie Rundle, Angela Griffin and Sharon Rooney who star in the sexy ITV 80s-set drama, currently airing on BBC First in Australia
Who does she play? Pauline, a married middle-class housewife What's her story? "She’s a lonely woman. She’s a quiet person, you feel that she lives rather in a bubble and looks after her husband," Penelope Wilton tells RadioTimes.com. "Then she meets these girls [through Ann Summers parties] and her life changes. She’s brought out of her shell." Brief Encounters catches the "time when young women were just beginning to find their own voice," adds Wilton. "We’re talking about, not sophisticated, middle-class women who have been privately educated. We’re talking about most people. And that is a wonderful thing to see how they grab the opportunity and they grew in confidence having been given this chance to do something." Where do I recognise her from? Downton Abbey, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Doctor Who, Calendar Girls Who does she play? Steph, a young mum of one who cleans for Pauline What's her story? "She’s got a young son, she’s married and she’s just quite shy and sweet and sort of the nice girl who lives next door, really," Sophie Rundle tells us. "She’s living this quite normal life. She’s never really thought to ask for much more than that. But when we meet her in episode one, her and her husband come up against money problems and that is the sort of spark that begins this whole journey. She has to find another way to get some money. She has to look for a new job and that’s how she comes into contact with the Ann Summers world." Through the Ann Summer parties Steph "realises there’s just more to her and she realises that she wants there to be more to her," adds Rundle."She wants more from life. It’s sort of been in her, but she’s never thought to explore that side of her, this confident, independent, smart woman. And that’s what blossoms." Where do I recognise her from? Peaky Blinders, Dickensian, The Bletchley Circle, Happy Valley, Episodes, An Inspector Calls Who does she play? Nita, mum of four young children who meets Steph in the school playground What's her story? "Nita is a fiesty mother. She is honest and she is loyal, especially when it comes to her family. Everything is about her family," Angela Griffin tells RadioTimes.com. "She goes straight up to Steph the first time that she meets her and takes her under her wing. She cuddles people the first time she meets them, she's that kind of person." "They live a bit hand to mouth. Kieran does slightly dodgy things to put food on the table. He strays ever so slightly on the wrong side of the law and it's not enough. "Nita is the first on board [with the Ann Summers parties and] it is purely for the money," Griffin says. But "she becomes really good friends" with the other girls. Not that it's all that simple: "She has a secret. And that seeps into the friendship." Where do I recognise her from? Coronation Street, Waterloo Road, Inspector Lewis, Mount Pleasant, Cutting It Who does she play? Dawn, a hairdresser who knows Pauline What's her story? "Dawn is a force. Her mum died roughly six, seven years ago. She’s kind of had to step up and be the mum. She has three brothers, one who’s only 10 so he was really little when their mum died, so she’s really had to step up and run the house," Sharon Rooney tells us. When it comes to the Ann Summers parties "all Dawn wants is the perfect house, the perfect family. She wants everything to be just right – and she can see that by doing this job she’ll be able to afford that." "She’s making money for her future. She can afford things she probably couldn’t have afforded with a normal job. She’s made new friends, she’s got a really nice group of women around her, she’s got a new kind of support network. So it’s so much more than just marital aids." Where do I recognise her from? My Mad Fat Diary, Sherlock, Two Doors Down, Stag, Mountain Goats Who does he play? Terry, Steph's husband What's his story? Terry is a very traditional man. "He has the inability to contain or really understand his wife Steph," tease ITV. "As she grows he fears he is being left behind and doesn't know how to keep up with her, so he reacts in the only way he knows, by throwing his toys out of the pram." "I think he has expected their lives to go the way that they’re heading," his on-screen wife Sophie Rundle tells us. "They met in school, they got married, they had a kid, he’s going to be the breadwinner and their lives will go forward like that. And I think he finds it hard that she’s going out and working and earning money, let alone this outrageous stuff that she’s selling." Where do I recognise him from? Emmerdale, Happy Valley, The Syndicate, My Mad Fat Diary, Game of Thrones Who does he play? Brian, Pauline's husband and the local butcher What's his story? He's a respected figure in the community who is keen to "step up the social ladder." He thinks all is happy at home but "his tunnel vision has stopped him seeing the needs of his loyal wife". Where do I recognise him from? Our Zoo, I Want My Wife Back, Titanic, The Mimic, The Paradise Who does he play? Kieren, Nita's husband What's his story? He's a "devoted, flirtatious husband" and a "fun father" but he's not a good provider and often makes the wrong choices. "The consequences often cause fractures in the family and leave Nita picking up the pieces." "They've been together since they were 15, known each other since they were 10. It's a real committed, loving, fun, brilliant marriage. There are no real problems, there are no cracks in their relationship," adds his on-screen wife Angela Griffin. Where do I recognise him from? EastEnders, Holby City, Love & Marriage, One Night, Meadowlands Who does he play? Russell, Dawn's boyfriend and an apprentice to butcher Brian What's his story? "He's totally besotted with Dawn... but appearances can be deceptive – Russell has the potential to be Dawn's rock" "They go through some ups and downs, but there’s love there," Sharon Rooney tells us. "There’s just that love and that bond that nothing will break them and it’s lovely. He loves her in every form. He loves her when she’s sad, he loves her when she’s angry, he loves her when she’s happy. They’ve been together since they were really young and he’s probably the only one that knows anything about Dawn’s new life." Where do I recognise him from? Skins, Doctor Who, About Time, Count Arthur Strong, The Rack Pack Who does he play? PC Johnny Daniels What's his story? He strikes up a friendship with Steph and "finds himself embroiled in numerous situations" as the series progresses. Where do I recognise him from? Hunted, Nurse, Give Out Girls, Midwinter of the Spirit
Death in Paradise didn't give DI Richard Poole a fair send-off
Why was nobody grief stricken by Richard's brutal and violent death? asks Ellie Walker-Arnott
We all knew it was coming. It was no surprise that Ben Miller, aka DI Richard Poole, was poised to leave the sunny shores of Saint Marie behind. But killed with an ice pick before the opening credits?! He should have just scarpered back to drizzly ol' England, shouldn't he? For dedicated fans of the BBC1 murder mystery it was all a bit much. According to Twitter there was anger, denial, genuine tears... But bafflingly the same couldn't be said for Richard’s friends and colleagues. Why was nobody in the show grief stricken by his brutal and violent death? Where were the tears, the distress, the upset…? Even if the character’s departure wasn't a surprise for us, it should have been for Richard’s loyal colleagues Camille, Dwayne and Fidel. Yet they mourned DI Poole for about 12 seconds (yes, I counted) before his desk was cleared, his home emptied and a brand new, bumbling British detective was drafted in to replace him. Talk about moving on quickly… As someone who has watched Death in Paradise for the last two years, seen Richard find his place on Saint Marie, cement friendships with his fellow policeman and flirt, albeit awkwardly, with lovely Camille, I felt a bit cheated by his swift send off. In fact, even Camille, who seemed to be on the cusp of falling for the gawky detective at the end of series two, didn't appear to be that bothered. She seemed more upset when her old school friend Jamelia was poisoned mid-song in series two. In a way, the BBC were clever to have him pop his clogs in the opening minutes. We barely had a chance to reacquaint ourselves with the tea-drinking, suit-and-tie wearing detective before he was cold in his sun-lounger. But, after two series, it just didn't feel like a fair farewell. Andeven if everyone on Saint Marie will have completely forgotten the grouchy Englishman by episode two, you can be sure that fans won’t. So will Death in Paradise die alongside DI Richard Poole? Well, actually, maybe not. Even if fans would rather Ben Miller hadn't jumped ship, Kris Marshall's sincere and surprisingly endearing DI Humphrey Goodman seems to be a fine alternative so far – and the show went to great pains to prove he isn't a straight swap, even if that just means he prefers lemonade to PG Tips. Death in Paradise continues on Tuesday at 9:00pm on BBC1
Meet the cast of Baz Luhrmann's The Get Down
Your guide to who's who in Netflix's new musical spectacular
Clued up? Who does he play? Shaolin Fantastic What's his story? Shaolin is "the ultimate persona of cool. He’s a one man wolf pack, a thrill seeker, a boundary breaker and swings towards the reckless." OK... "He has his finger on the street­ pulse, he’s hooked on the new and the underground and Shao wants to be part of it all. His charisma and confidence make him just the kid to rally a band of brothers to execute his vision." Where do you recognise him from? The rapper, singer, actor and dancer made his screen debut in 2015's Dope. Who does he play? Ezekial 'Books' Figuero What's his story? "Books, a nickname given to him by his good friend, Shaolin, for his quick wit and love of the written word, can put together a beat and a rap at a moment’s notice. His cool and boyish charm hides a philosophical thinker, a straight A student and a golden ticket to any ivy league college of his choosing. However, it’s the girl of his dreams, Mylene that captivates Books’ time and attention. His raps chronicle and weave the story of The Get Down ​from beginning to end." Where do you recognise him from? Paper Towns, where he starred opposite Nat Wolff and Cara Delevingne as Radar. Who does she play? Mylene Cruz What's her story? "Mylene is the beautiful daughter of a respected Puerto Rican family in The South Bronx. Her parents lead the local Pentecostal church in the neighbourhood, while her uncle and her biggest champion, Papa Fuerte is a local politician, running the Community Multi­ Services Centre. Mylene’s one-­of-­a-­kind voice can be heard every Sunday at church, but her real dream is to be the voice of a new musical era, reaching Manhattan disco stardom and singing at Studio 54 and beyond. Struggling to honour her family’s fiercely strict and religious values, Mylene leans on the love and support of her uncle and boyfriend, Ezekial to reach for her dreams." Where do you recognise her from? The stage, as well as 2015 film Runaway Island. Who does he play? Cadillac What's his story? "Cadillac is the princeling son of South Bronx heroin Queenpin, Fat Annie, who also the famed nightclub, Les Inferno. When not hitting the dance floor and strutting his latest disco moves, Cadillac fancies himself the rightful heir of Annie’s criminal organisation. His love of the music, his sheltered upbringing, and his insecurity combined, make him a largely ineffectual, though dangerously unpredictable, local dancing gangster." Where do you recognise him from? This is Abdul-Mateen's first TV role. Who does he play? Ronald 'Ra-Ra' Kipling What's his story? "Ra­Ra Kipling is the middle son of the loving and warm Kipling family. The voice of reason, Ra­Ra thinks before he speaks and is the sibling with ‘his head screwed on straight.’ He’s a loyal friend and protective brother who’s wise beyond his years." Where do you recognise him from? The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete, iCarly, Children's Hospital, Southpaw, Our Family Wedding. Who does he play? Miles 'Boo Boo' Kipling What's his story? "Boo Boo Kipling is the youngest of the Kipling clan. He’s the irrepressible tag­ along little brother and the runt of the litter with a wisecracking wild bravado. With his indestructible energy, Boo Boo’s always first on the dance floor when the needle drops on the record. He has a natural curiosity and deep desire to understand the mechanics behind every object and every situation." Where do you recognise him from? Been to New York recently? The 14-year-old rapper, dancer and actor was discovered on the NYC subway. Who does he play? Francisco ‘Papa Fuerte’ Cruz What's his story? "Papa Fuerte is a natural born hustler who navigates the New York City political world through his position as the head of the Community Multi­ Services Centre representing The South Bronx. He believes in his community and isn’t afraid to pursue all possibilities in order to bring attention to his failing and struggling neighbourhood." Where do you recognise him from? Sons of Anarchy, Outlaw, Dexter, The West Wing, NYPD Blue. He's also set to star in Rogue One and 24: Legacy. Who does he play? Pastor Ramon Cruz What's his story? "Pastor Cruz is the charismatic head of his local Pentecostal church. Followers flock to his fiery sermons and firm, steady leadership. His teenage daughter, Mylene, has begun to rebel against their devoutly religious household, and much of Cruz’s attention is devoted to keeping her on the righteous path. Despite his strict house rules, Pastor Cruz has turned a blind eye to the shady dealings of his younger brother, and church benefactor, South Bronx City Councilman Papa Fuerte." Where do you recognise him from? Breaking Bad, Once upon a Time, The Scorch Trials, Revolution Who does he play? Marcus 'Dizzee' Kiping What's his story? "Dizzee is the eldest of the Kipling children. Often misunderstood, he operates on a different wavelength than his siblings. His attention is a closely guarded resource. When something does catch his interest he’s full throttle, devouring everything he can about it. This makes him intense but exceptionally well­ read, and the most philosophical Kipling child. Dizzee observes everything, has a strong sense of irony, and prefers to express himself through his art and graffiti. He wants to have as many experiences as he can, even if that means he lives his life a little dangerously." Where do you recognise him from? The Pursuit of Happiness, After Earth, The Day the Earth Stood Still, The Karate Kid The Get Down is available on Netflix from 12th August
Call the Midwife series 5 finale recap: births, weddings and a heart-wrenching death
New lives are welcomed, a couple rush to say 'I do' and a terrible scandal comes to light, while the Nonnatus nuns and nurses face a deeply personal tragedy in the ABC drama
Share the love, share the story In Poplar, women are queueing round the block for the new contraceptive pill. It's an exciting time, but Doctor Turner's spirits are dampened. "Unmarried women can't be referred for oral contraception. It isn't what we hoped for," he frowns. "No, but it's a start," replies Shelagh. And, the pill aside, there are still babies and pregnant mothers who need their attention. Rhoda Mullocks is back with little Susan for a check-up. She's happy and growing bigger by the day, but her mum is struggling and can't sleep. Turner prescribes a mild sedative, Distaval, to help her. "If I can't fix her, I've got to fix myself," says Rhoda. "City lad" Mitchell has returned to Poplar from Australia, where he unsuccessfully tried his hand at sheep farming. And he's got a surprise for his mum Tessie. His Australian fiance Noelle is following on a later boat - and she's in the family way. A wedding must be planned for "the minute that boat docks," insists Tessie. Tom jumps to it, while Tessie gets Violet sourcing maternity essentials. When the girl arrives it's clear she could go into labour any minute... Sister Evangelina isn't dealing with newborns – "babies are a two-handed job" – but she's settling back into the pace of life at Nonnatus after her time away, solving problems, dishing out advice and scolding her fellow midwives when necessary. She's trying to nap in the kitchen, but Barbara, Trixie and Phyllis are discussing pantyhose and whether they are "a breeding ground for yeast." When Barb bangs a ketchup bottle on the table she snaps. "Is there nowhere a woman can get 40 uninterrupted winks around this place?" she shouts. Boxes of “junk and tat” have arrived at Nonnatus House. The Mother House is converting its attic so the contents have been sent on. Sister Evangelina looks on from her chair while the rest of the nuns pore over their contents. They find a box full of the wedding dresses they wore to say their vows. Sister Mary Cynthia admits to being disappointed when she learned the tradition had been dropped, but Evangelina tuts. She’s pleased. She never dreamed of wearing a wedding dress and insists she looked like a “side show” in hers. The next morning, Barbara asks if Sister Evangelina will assist at Tripti Valluck’s labour. The Indian family live in a poorly maintained block, with a broken toilet, an outside tap and fleas. She agrees to come along and do the “donkey work" and while Barbara helps deliver the baby, Evangelina sets about cleaning the flat. Going to fill up a bucket with water, she hears Tripti’s baby’s first cries and is visibly moved. Later, Barb asks if she’ll bathe the baby girl and Evangelina reluctantly agrees. But she manages with her left hand just fine, washing and holding the little girl – and clearly enjoying being around newborns again. Barbara and Sister Evangelina return to Nonnatus, happy and tired. Evangelina settles into her chair by the fire while Barbara covers her in a blanket and goes off to fix them both a cup of tea. Early the next morning Fred heads into Nonnatus House and Sister Evangelina is right where Barbara left her. He thinks she’s asleep but she doesn’t wake when he loudly knocks over the fire pokers. “Sister Evangelina?” he asks, before taking off his hat and clasping her hand. She’s passed away in the night. Doctor Turner is playing with baby Angela when the telephone rings. The girls are gathered on the stairs, Trixie and Patsy shellshocked and smoking while Phyllis comforts a sobbing Barbara. “I’d put money on another stroke,” reports the doctor sadly, as Sister Monica Joan wails. When Turner returns home, Shelagh is crying, but it’s not just because of Sister Evanglina. Distaval is being withdrawn with immediate effect. Deformed babies have been born and they think there’s a link. The news is in medical journal The Lancet too, but the article says there have only been one or two cases, and none in the UK. “I have prescribed Distaval to dozens of patients… deformed babies have been born in our district. We need to speak to someone and then we need to act.” Phyllis and Patsy are called and they set about trawling through medical records. “I don’t know how to put it right,” cries Turner, as they find connections between several women and the drug. Ruby Cottingham had been prescribed Distaval for anxiety before she got pregnant and must have taken what she had left, while Rhoda Mullocks’ sister had been prescribed the pills for insomnia. Meanwhile, Sister Mary Cynthia is called to see Noelle and the pair start talking about the expectant mother’s impending nuptials. She’s having to wear a pink suit to say her vows, because they couldn’t find a dressmaker to fashion her a maternity gown, and she’s disappointed. Mary Cynthia thinks she hears Sister Evangelina’s voice in her head, as clear as day, telling her to give Noelle her old wedding gown. “Now is not the time to start arguing with her, is it,” replies Sister Julienne, who laughs and then bursts into tears. The nuns wash Sister Evangelina’s body and lovingly comb her hair, while Barb, Trixie and Delia turn her old dress into a new gown for Noelle. When the undertaker arrives he asks if he can take care of everything free of charge. Sister Evangelina saved him and his mother when he was born two months early. “Now it’s time to pay back what I owe,” he says. The people of Poplar line up to pay their respects to Sister Evangelia, while Patsy and Phyllis do the rounds, removing bottles of Distaval from their patients. Julienne finds Ruby, who is struggling and drinking in the aftermath of her daughter’s death. She’s still taking Distaval, but gives it to Julienne after taking one last pill. Rhoda Mullocks is left distraught by the news. “You’re not to blame, Rhoda. I promise you,” says Turner, while she cries and apologises to Susan again and again. Trixie irons her funeral outfit while having a heart to heart with Phyllis. She’s lonely and feels lost, but “it’s not actually the lack of a man that bothers me," she insists. "There are some women who make a very decent fist of being spinsters. I like to think I’m one of them,” Phyllis replies. “But you aren’t and there’s no use pretending otherwise. Let’s see what Father Christmas brings you.” Meanwhile, Noelle’s wedding is in full swing. She’s holding her bouquet in front of her bump for the photos, but soon she can’t hide the truth. Her waters break at her reception and Nonnatus is called. Trixie and Mary Cynthia assist while wedding guests dance the other side of the curtain - and a baby boy arrives, all while Noelle’s still wearing Sister Evangelina’s gown. The time has come for Sister Evangelina to leave Nonnatus House for the final time. PC Noakes stops the traffic and people line the streets of Poplar. Sister Monica Joan appears last, putting Evangelina’s work shoes on the casket. “They deserve their rest as well as she,” she says. Thankful families gather to say farewell and the nuns and nurses shed sad tears, and follow the coffin down the street.
Why Call the Midwife will never be the same again
Sister Evangelina's death is one of the most devastating storylines to date in the ABC drama. Thankfully, it was handled with the show's characteristic sensitivity, says Ellie Walker-Arnott
Call the Midwife has lost vital characters before. Jenny Lee (Jessica Raine) first introduced us to Poplar and Nonnatus House – the drama was originally told through her naive eyes – and the series survived, arguably thrived, when she left at the end of season three. But after the loss of Sister Evangelina, Midwife will never be the same again. Tonight’s finale on ABC saw Sister Evangelina, played by Pam Ferris, pass away in her sleep from a suspected stroke. And, while fans were undoubtedly distraught when Jenny departed the drama, I suspect we’ll feel the loss of Sister Evangelina much more keenly. While Jenny was a canvas for Poplar’s stories, steely Sister Evangelina was an integral part of them. Since Raine left, the drama has continued to turn in on itself, letting the Nonnatons take centre stage. Creator Heidi Thomas has moved on from Jennifer Worth's brilliant source material, and has given the nuns and nurses difficult, dark and revealing storylines of their own. One of the only characters born and raised in poverty similar to Poplar’s, Evangelina was confident, capable and no-nonsense. She could be blunt but there was a kind, eternally likeable side to her too. She wasn’t simpering, feminine, retiring or amenable – she was nothing a woman of her era was supposed to be. She was strong and unapologetic about it. She anchored life at Nonnatus and inspired its younger recruits. And, whether cycling around in sunglasses or sparring with Sister Monica Joan over the last slice of Victoria sponge, she was the source of much light (something which we need more and more in Call the Midwife these days.) We are used to Midwife making us sob, but Evangelina’s death is one of the most devastating stories to date. After five seasons, to say her unique presence will be missed would be an understatement. At least, like the clever, sensitive drama we know it to be, Call the Midwife told the story of Sister Evangelina’s death in its own way. Our beloved nun passed away 20 minutes into this hour-long finale, and, as her close friends and colleagues processed, grieved, made funeral arrangements and slowly let life continue around them, fans were given a chance to properly say goodbye to the show's integral character. It was a rare, realistic and thoughtful portrayal of grief played out on screen. Her death wasn’t used as a cliff-hanger or a shocking twist. It was gentle, quiet, and gut-wrenchingly heartfelt. Proving once again that this show is about so much more than cradles and contractions. Call the Midwife returns for a Christmas special later this year and a sixth series in 2017
Call the Midwife series 5 episode 7 recap: the contraceptive pill arrives in Poplar
A familiar faces returns and a storm makes for a dramatic night in the ABC drama, while the midwives ponder the moral repercussions of the pill
A few months have passed since last week's upsetting instalment of the ABC drama. Sister Mary Cynthia's wounds have healed and summer is well and truly over in Poplar. Nonnatus' porch is piled high with apples – and something unfamiliar has arrived in the East End. The contraceptive pill will be licensed for distribution within weeks and Doctor Turner is terribly excited, especially because the government are yet to state that it can't be prescribed to unmarried woman. It's a troubling time for the Nonnatus nuns, though. "It's a miracle with moral implications," frowns Sister Julienne. Patsy and Sister Winifred are called to the river bank to visit a travelling family. Pregnant mum Daisy is anaemic and has low blood pressure, but she's wary of accepting help from the Nonnatons. When Doctor Turner insists on bed rest she's persuaded and checks in to the maternity home for the rest of her pregnancy. Concerned about her other children's lack of formal education, Sister Winifred organises for them to attend the local school while the family are stuck in Poplar. But it all goes wrong when the midwives wash and smarten up the children. Daisy angrily accuses them of interfering in their way of life and heads back to her barge. Barbara and Tom's romance is going from strength to strength. In fact, the duo get a little hot under the collar when left home alone at Nonnatus. An evening drinking tea and listening to Trixie's records soon turns into some serious snogging. The pair end up kissing against the wall and accidentally leave evidence of their amorous encounter, when Tom's Brylcreem leaves a greasy mark on the wall. Much to Barbara's discomfort, the stain doesn't go unnoticed. Nurse Crane starts to worry about damp while Sister Monica Joan is convinced it's evidence of a "manifestation from another realm." Meanwhile, Barbara and Phyllis meet Mrs Gina Matlin, a young pregnant woman in a strained relationship. Her husband Lesley is quiet, moody and disinterested, even when their new baby boy is born. Gina shares her concerns, telling the midwives that they had to get married after three months of dating because she realised she was pregnant. She came around to the idea of their new life, but Gina's worried that Lesley didn't and never will... The pill debate continues to rage, with Sister Julienne organising a discussion evening. Doctor Turner explains the medical background, boasting about how the pill has been declared 100% effective, while Tom is asked to provide a Christian perspective on prescribing the drug to unmarried women. Nurse Crane starts talking about wooden penises and paddling with your socks on and Sister Julienne shares her concerns about promoting "recreational intercourse." Tom says he'd preach self-restraint over anything else and later Barb is incredulous. "How could you sit there and lecture people on self-restraint in a room where your Brylcreem has made a mark on the wall as big as an elephant’s face?” she asks. The next night a dreadful storm hits London. There's a gale force 9 weather warning and Sister Monica Joan's precious TV is compromised when the aerial falls off the roof. At the maternity home, multiple women are in labour and while Trixie tries to tend to them all the power goes out, leaving Timothy Turner to man a wind-up generator. Meanwhile, Daisy's daughter runs to Nonnatus to find Patsy. On the barge, the pair reconcile and Daisy's labour goes smoothly. Patsy takes a back seat and lets Daisy take the lead, until a healthy baby girl is born. New mum Gina isn't well. She's in pain and has impaired vision. Her husband telephones Nurse Crane who calls an ambulance and heads over to them. The lift in their tower block is out of power but she makes it to their eighth floor flat to discover Gina suffering from what looks like a rare case of postnatal pre-eclampsia. Phyllis wants Lesley to go and flag down the ambulance but he won't leave Gina's side, the concern shocking him into being the husband and father he needed to be. They all go down together and the family head to hospital. The morning after the storm, the Nonnatus nurses are trapped by rubble. A railway signal has blown down and knocked over a wall, but naturally Fred is on the case. As Sister Julienne and Sister Mary Cynthia look on they hear a familiar voice. It's Sister Evangelina, back from the silent order. The nuns are overjoyed their sister has returned, but it's soon clear she won't be able to take on as much work as she used to... Evangelina had a serious stroke during her time away. She got her speech back within six weeks but her left arm is still affected. The recovery wasn't what she expected from her time away but she's learned an important lesson nevertheless. "When things change we have to find a different way. Now whenever I do up a button or a shoelace, I'm reminded of the need to keep learning," she says. Call the Midwife series five is currently airing on ABC in Australia
Frozen fans want Elsa to have a girlfriend not a prince charming in sequel
Fans are campaigning to make Elsa the first LGBT Disney princess
Disney fans are urging the film studio to provide better LGBT representation in their animations... by giving Elsa a girlfriend. People have been taking to Twitter, with the hashtag #GiveElsaAGirlfriend, with the hope of persuading Disney to introduce their first gay princess. Make the LGBT community normalized, even to our kids and stop forcing the hetero-normative. Please Disney #GiveElsaAGirlfriend — CutieCub (@CutieCubXO) May 3, 2016 #GiveElsaAGirlfriend because little girls watching should know you can be a princess and love another princess — alyson werner (@punchkinbaby) May 2, 2016 Love is an open door. That door should be open to everyone, not just straight people. #GiveElsaAGirlfriend @Disney @DisneyPixar — Annie was queenvives (@bivanessaives) May 1, 2016 #GiveElsaAGirlfriend because 1 in 5 kids are queer, but only 1 in 10 feel safe enough to come out. — mia (@miaafame) May 1, 2016 #GiveElsaAGirlfriend to show girls that f/f couples get happy endings too — ✿ libbing ✿ (@templesclaire) May 1, 2016 #GiveElsaAGirlfriend because lgbtq women are just as deserving of love as any other disney character you put on the big screen @Disney — elisa (@astronomyhoe) May 1, 2016 A gay Disney princess would have helped me feel so much more normal when I was younger. Representation is important. #GiveElsaAGirlfriend — jordan (@thejordanthrash) May 1, 2016 It's a major step that Disney is yet to make, but campaigners say the move towards a more inclusive cast of animated characters would help young people be more accepting of themselves and the LGBT community. Frozen's much-anticipated sequel does seem like the logical match. The movie was praised as being progressive, ditching the romance for a relationship between two sisters and opting to eschew the trademark wedding at the end. And it is arguably Disney's most LGBT-friendly film to date. Elsa's journey in the first movie has been widely interpreted as a metaphor for coming out, while Oaken is said to be Disney's most openly gay character. Frozen 2 was confirmed in 2015
Christmas TV is better than Christmas itself
The better, brighter and more heart-warming Christmas of TV Land reminds us to give thanks for the important stuff, says Ellie Walker-Arnott
Christmas on TV, or Christmas in films, is absolutely nothing like Christmas in real life. They just aren’t the same. Not because we don’t all meet an over-grown elf and find out he’s our long-lost brother, or save a work Christmas party from an evil Alan Rickman. I’m not even talking about Christmas miracles, old men turning out to be the real Santa Claus or the ability to problem solve using festive spirit alone. In TV Land Christmas is more magical and more meaningful. Really, it doesn’t compare with the high-pressure reality of the festive period itself. Our version of Christmas gets watered down by demanding gift lists, huge credit card bills and things like Black Friday, irritating family members and having to battling it out with your colleagues for a few precious days’ annual leave. Christmas TV, on the other hand, would have us believe that December is a much lighter, brighter, icing sugar-sprinkled affair. And if disaster or misfortune gets in the way of the celebrations, there is always some form of happy ending. We love the idea of Christmas that we remember from TV and film – and we fall for it year after year, forgetting it’s not a reality. Take Christmas shopping. Each year I set out, imagining myself in a snowflake-covered Richard Curtis film, wandering the near-empty pavements, as a brass band plays We Wish You a Merry Christmas in the background. Love Actually might even poke fun at over-the-top Christmas wrapping, but in reality our gifts never get that much love and attention. You’re more likely to be caught in a scrum outside John Lewis and retreat, traumatised, to the Tube before you even make it as far as the jewellery counter. If only Mr Bean really was around to give us a hand. And matters of the heart. Thanks to pretty much every Christmas special and festive film in existence, we all dream of a little romance on 25 December, a Christmas fling, eyes meeting beneath the mistletoe. But the reality is a much more sobering affair. More break-ups take place in the two weeks before Christmas than any other time of year while the post-festivity period sees the number of couples filing for divorce soar (turns out EastEnders' Den and Angie are the most realistic TV Christmas couple). Plus there is actual scientific proof that as Christmas approaches and the temperature drops, so do our standards, so that we have someone to cuddle – just until the sun comes back out. I much prefer telly's version of Christmas, and it's easy to see why, but festive TV is better than the real thing for more reasons than those alone. It might give us unrealistic expectations of the yuletide fun coming our way, but it also provides us with a fast-track to the feelings of joy and goodwill to all mankind that we crave. The better, brighter and more heart-warming Christmas of TV Land reminds us to give thanks for the important stuff, for family, friends, our health and our happiness. More often than not in late December we sit down in front of it with those family and friends. It's not the season of catch-up TV or watching on-demand on your lonesome – Christmas is for event telly that you want to watch live and together. And watching perfect or moving Christmases on TV reminds us to take stock, forget about the burned sausages, the wonky tree and the red wine stain on the sofa. It gives us the space and time to take a step back from the frazzled, manic-ness that Christmas can be and have our own, if slightly more low-key, feelings of festive joy.
Dating tips from First Dates maitre d' Fred Sirieux
Love has become a commodity and modern daters suffer from having too much choice, says the man in charge of the First Dates restaurant
View Green Video on the source website Maitre d' Fred Sirieix is the font of all dating knowledge. The star of Channel 4's First Dates has witnessed hundreds of couples meet, date, fight and flirt. He is the perfect man to talk to if you're in need of a little romantic guidance, which is why we were quick to commandeer him backstage at this week's National Television Awards... "I think you have to be yourself. You have to be open, you have to be honest, you have to be flexible and you have to act out the passion before you can feel it," he smiled, before telling us why he thinks finding love is hard in 2016. With social media and dating apps, "people and love becomes a commodity," he said. "It becomes an addiction. At the end you don't know what you want because you've got too much choice. It's not good for you at the end of the day." Fred also talked about what Brits get wrong about dating, the worst dates he's ever seen and whether romance is really dead. ⬆Watch the full video above⬆ First Dates continues tonight at 10:00pm on Channel 4
Meet the new Strictly Come Dancing professionals
AJ Pritchard, Chloe Hewitt, Neil Jones, Oksana Platero, Katya Jones and Gorka Marquez are the latest dancers to join Strictly's pro line-up
Head over here if you're looking for the 2019 professional line-up. Latin dancer Gorka has been prancing and pirouetting since he was 12 and he's now one of the top dancers in Spain. He represented his country in the World Latin Championships in 2010 and made it to the semi-finals of the 2012 Wolrd DanceSport Federation World Cup. Gorka has also toured the globe as one of the leads in Ballroom and Latin dance phenomenon Burn the Floor. He's set to join Strictly this autumn – and says he is hoping to bring his cheeky personality and some Latin passion to the ballroom. "I feel very excited and grateful to be joining Strictly Come Dancing and to be one of the professional dancers for the new series," says Gorka. "It’s something that every dancer dreams of and something that I always wanted to have the opportunity to do." Russian-born Katya is World Latin Champion. She's been dancing since she was six and is also trained in gymnastics (so expect plenty of tricks!) She won the World Amateur Latin Championships for the first time in 2010 and has since triumphed twice more. Along with her dance partner, Katya holds the title of World Professional Latin Showdance Champions and British National Professional Champions. She's also hoping to add a Glitterball Trophy of that list. "I am so privileged to be joining Strictly Come Dancing. I know it is extremely intense, but so am I! I am fierce, fabulous, and would love to win!" Oksana has been dancing competitively since the age of six. She was Ukraine National Youth Champion for three consecutive years before going on to represent the United States. You might recognise this pro, as Oksana was a dancer on American series Dancing with the Stars for five seasons. She's also worked as a choreographer for So You Think You Can Dance. But now it's all about the Strictly ballroom. "Words cannot describe how extremely excited I am to be joining the Strictly Come Dancing family this year," says Oksana. "I am so fortunate to be given the opportunity. It feels so surreal and I cannot wait to get started." Neil Jones is the undefeated four-time British National Champion. He's also three-time winner of the World Amateur Latin Championships with his wife Katya Jones. Recognise that name? Yeah she's also joining Strictly this year! Neil is a Ballroom and Latin expert, but he's also trained in tap, modern and ballet. Quite a CV we're sure you'll agree. "I am so thrilled to be joining the cast of Strictly Come Dancing! As a British dancer I have grown up watching this amazing show, it is a massive honour and I am feeling pumped and excited to be part of the Strictly family," he says. At just 20-years-old, Chloe is Strictly's youngest pro yet. In fact, she was only eight when the first series of SCD aired and the show inspired her to take up dancing! Those dance lessons clearly paid off because last year Chester-born Chloe, alongside her dance parter AJ Pritchard (more on him below), was crowned British Open Youth Latin Champion, before going on to become European Champion too. "My childhood dream of being on Strictly Come Dancing is now reality!" says Chloe. "The sheer excitement is exhilarating and I cannot wait to be part of the Strictly family." AJ is Chloe's professional dance parter. He's 21-years-old and grew up in Stoke-on-Trent avidly watching the show, too. During their nine-year competitive career AJ and Chloe have set records by becoming National Youth Latin Champions for three years in a row. Now they are ready to take to the Strictly Come Dancing floor. "Watch out Strictly, here I come," says AJ. "It is going to be amazing and I feel ecstatic!" Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC1 later this year Strictly Come Dancing 2016: meet the contestants
The best Roald Dahl quotes to live your adult life by
There's a whole lot of wisdom in those treasured childhood tales - we've rounded up 12 of the best quotes for Roald Dahl Day
Stories and fictional friends were a huge part of our world during childhood - and Roald Dahl's whimsical tales were no exception. From book-loving Matilda and James's magical peach to Sophie and her Big Friendly Giant, there's no denying Dahl's tales, which are still as popular today as they were when they were first printed, speak to children in a unique way. But those messages don't cease to be important once we stop growing (upwards, at least) and head out into the big, bad world of adulthood. In fact, as grouchy, grumpy, grown-ups we'd be wise to remember these clever, kind and witty words. To mark Roald Dahl Day we've rounded up 12 of the author's best quotes. "If you have good thoughts it will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely" - The Twits "A little nonsense now and then, is relished by the wisest men" - Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator "Watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it" - The Minpins How Roald Dahl's wife inspired his magical way with words "The matter with human beans," the BFG went on, "is that they is absolutely refusing to believe in anything unless they is actually seeing it right in front of their own schnozzles" - The BFG "It's impossible to make your eyes twinkle if you aren't feeling twinkly yourself" - Danny, Champion of the World Sir Quentin Blake imagines what Matilda is up to 30 years after Roald Dahl's book was published "It doesn't matter who you are or what you look like as long as somebody loves you" - The Witches "Never do anything by halves if you want to get away with it. Be outrageous. Go the whole hog" - Matilda “There are a whole lot of things in this world of ours you haven't even started wondering about yet" - James and the Giant Peach “You should never, never doubt something that no one is sure of" - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Remembering the wisdom of Roald Dahl with his daughter Lucy "If you are good, life is good" - Matilda Roald Dahl on screen - some of the best adaptations "Never grow up...always down" - George's Marvellous Medicine The BFG is in UK cinemas from today
Who is Lewis Bloor? Celebrity Big Brother 2016 contestant guide
The former TOWIE star is set to get pulses racing in the CBB house
Name: Lewis Bloor Age: 26 Twitter: @lewis_bloor Famous, why? For starring on TOWIE and boasting about being a lothario Bio: Bloor found fame on the streets of Essex when he bagged a role in TOWIE. He wasn't the most popular cast member though, and riled his co-stars with tales of his success with the ladies... Since leaving the show earlier this year Bloor's been partying, tweeting about how much happier he is without TOWIE, lifting an awful lot of weights in the gym and posing with very little on for his new official calendar. He's also become a personal trainer so he's sure to get pulses racing, whether or not he lives up to CBB bosses' alleged expectations that he'll "sex up" the house... Here he is having a barney on TOWIE: View oEmbed on the source website And showing off his brand new abs: View oEmbed on the source website
Who is Renee Graziano? Celebrity Big Brother 2016 contestant guide
The Mob Wives star is set to be locked up for a stint in the Big Brother house
Name: Renee Graziano Age: 48 Twitter: @reneegraziano Famous, why? For starring in Mob Wives, a reality series following a group of women whose family members are in prison for crimes allegedly connected to the Mafia... Bio: Renee found fame on VH1 show Mob Wives, a constructed reality series created by her sister Jennifer "Jenn" Graziano. Apparently their involvement in the show caused something of a family feud with their dad Anthony Graziano, who is a notorious New York mobster. Renee starred in the show for six years before quitting during the filming of the sixth and final series last summer. During her time on Mob Wives, the outspoken mum of one was at the heart of many of the biggest storylines and wasn't afraid to speak (or shout) her mind at her fellow wives. Here she is yelling: View oEmbed on the source website And chatting about the realities of filming Mob Wives: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8RKNxeiP_I
Who is James Whale? Celebrity Big Brother 2016 contestant guide
The controversial, outspoken radio DJ is swapping the airwaves for a sleepover in a TV studio
Name: James Whale Age: 65 Twitter: @THEJamesWhale Famous, why? Being a rather controversial radio host Bio: James Whale's dulcet and occasionally controversial tones can currently be heard on stations such as BBC Radio Essex and BBC Radio Kent. He also hosts his own online channel followed by "loyal listeners who have been tuning into his unique acerbic, incisive style since he became a hit with his full and frank style in 1974." That, erm, frank style has sometimes hindered Whale's career. He was fired by TalkSport in 2008 for breaching impartiality rules, and has also been caught in a racism storm on Radio Kent. Whale recently wrote an autobiography titled "Almost a Celebrity." Presumably he's hoping a stint in the CBB will raise his ranking to full celeb... Here he is talking about being harsh but fair on the air as he released his book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73u8-qyj27Q And that time everything went wrong and he walked out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4T83E35FSUQ
Who is Chloe Khan? Celebrity Big Brother 2016 contestant guide
The X Factor reject and glamour model formerly known as Chloe Mafia is preparing for her close-up
Name: Chloe Khan, formally known as Chloe Mafia or Chloe Victoria Age: 25 Twitter: @chloekhanxxx Famous, for? Being one of X Factor's most controversial contestants Bio: Chloe found fame on the 2010 series of The X Factor, where she quickly became one of the show's most controversial contestants. Her signing was overshadowed by her dodgy fake tan, fashion sense and rumours about her colourful past, before reports that she was taking drugs behind the scenes lead to her being kicked off the ITV singing competition. She's now a glamour model with, according to her Instagram account, a seriously expensive lifestyle. She's also recently become a "CEO & business woman", setting up a webcam stripping site. Then: auditioning for The X Factor View oEmbed on the source website Now: talking about her transformation and finding inner peace... View oEmbed on the source website
US president will be 'part Trump, part Clinton' in Homeland season 6
The new series of the hit CIA thriller is set to focus on the immediate aftermath of a US election
Homeland's sixth season is premiering later than usual, but showrunner Alex Gansa has a very good reason: the upcoming run is focussed around a US general election. The series takes place between Election Day and the presidential inauguration, and will air just after America has voted in its real-life president in November. The show has cast a woman, actress Elizabeth Marvel, to play the president but that doesn't mean Gansa is assuming Hillary Clinton will win the election... "Every season, when we're developing stories, we're terrified of being counterfactual by the time we air," says Gansa. "This year, we're hedging our bets a little bit. She's a little bit Hillary, a little bit Donald Trump and a little bit Bernie Sanders." "If you listen to Donald Trump, there are these people who run the government from administration to administration and they have completely screwed the world up. There is part of that in our president. There is also a little bit of Hillary, in terms of she's a pragmatist and knows Washington from the inside," he tells Hollywood Reporter. As to what else we can expect from season six, Gansa says: "The most life-altering, country-changing event in the world happened in New York on September 11th. We are still dealing with the reaction to that as a country. Someone might argue there was an overreaction in the aftermath. ... Those are the things we're dealing with this season." And – #spoiler! – if you want to know what part Quinn may or may not play in the upcoming episodes, keep reading... "Quinn is alive," confirms Gansa. "I can say that much, but we really want to be careful about revealing what his condition is. He suffered a major stroke last season. You are going to see a very changed and altered Quinn this year. I think Quinn, this coming season, will really represent a profound and familiar casualty of the war on terror for our audience. What he endured last year is different from what he'll go through this year. This year will be suffused with his daily relationship with Claire's character." Homeland will be back on Channel 4 in 2017
Do you own a valuable Harry Potter book with a tiny error in it?
Your copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone could be worth more than £20,000...
Time to alert Gringotts... If you own a certain copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, you could be sitting on a small fortune. A first edition of JK Rowling's debut novel, which features a rare mistake, is going up for sale at Bonhams Fine Books and Manuscripts Sale on 9th November in London - and it's expected to be auctioned for around £20,000. The edition, first published in 1997, is one of only 500 hardback copies which contain the mistake. To find out if your copy is one of those coveted few, turn to page 53 and keep an eye out for the repetition of "1 wand" in Harry’s list of Hogwarts school supplies. "As the first book in the series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone has a special place in the affections of the millions of readers across the world and the proof reading error about the wand in the first edition has, of course, become a treasured piece of Harry Potter arcana. Like most enduring books aimed at younger readers, the Harry Potter books also have wide appeal to adults and there is a strong market among collectors for first editions. This copy is in excellent condition – one of the very best I've seen – and we're expecting a lot of interest," Bonhams Head of Books and Manuscripts, Matthew Haley, has said. Now, where did we put our copy...?
Miranda Hart is asking the questions about the Olympics we all need answers to
From how the horses get to Rio to those teenie, tiny diving towels...
Miranda Hart is all of us. The comedy actress has been watching the Olympics and asking all the questions we've also been wanting the answers to. Because, sure the sporting achievements are very impressive – that dedication and determination, those rippling muscles and those gritted teeth – but what is the deal with those tiny diving towels? First she was wondering about how equestrian competitors get their horses over to Rio. Something we've already been investigating over here at RT Towers. View oEmbed on the source website Then it was Konta's delayed tennis match... View oEmbed on the source website View oEmbed on the source website Not forgetting the aformentioned towels: View oEmbed on the source website Luckily, Miranda's official Twitter feed is also the source of some much-needed answers... View oEmbed on the source website "Some interesting facts about the Shammy and why divers use it..."
Luke Cage wants to be left the hell alone in new trailer for Netflix series
But things aren't working out that way for the Marvel superhero...
Luke Cage is fighting crime and righting wrongs in the latest trailer for the Marvel's Netflix series. But he's somewhat reluctant... "I was put in some tank like an exotic fish. I came out with abilities. I just want to be left the hell alone," he growls. But, while he might be bulletproof, "Harlem ain't" – and he can't help but find himself caught up in violence, organised crime, corruption and robbery. Soon he's seeking justice, standing up for the vulnerable and fighting for what's right every single day... View oEmbed on the source website Marvel's Luke Cage is the third show in the Defenders series to launch on Netflix. It follows the release of Marvel’s Daredevil and Marvel’s Jessica Jones and will be followed by Marvel’s Iron Fist and Marvel’s The Defenders. Marvel's Luke Cage is available on Netflix UK from 30th September